Millwall U21s 2 Brentford U21s 2

Neil Harris watched from the sidelines as Scott Fitzgerald took charge of Millwall's U21 side for Tuesday afternoon's local derby with Brentford at The Den.

And the new Lions caretaker boss would have been thrilled with the spirit and determination of the Millwall youngsters who clawed their way back from two goals down in a thrilling encounter against an impressive Bees side.

It was the home team who started the brightest with JP Rylah heading over from a Jamie Philpot cross and Alfie Pavey just off target following a Magaye Gueye centre.

But Brentford, playing some incisive passing football, took control of the game with two goals in a three minute spell midway through the first half. Firstly Jermaine Udumaga netted from the spot after Josh Siafa had felled Courtney Senior in the box, before Bradley Clayton scored from close range when Jordan Archer's save from Emmanuel Oyeleke's strike fell into his path.

Millwall were back in the game on 35 minutes, however, when Pavey flicked the ball on for Philpot to find the head of Gueye with a pinpoint cross.

Pavey and Philpot then tested Bees keeper Jack Bonham before the break, while at the other end Archer had to produce a brilliant stop to deny Archer a third for Brentford.

Three minutes after half-time the woodwork came to Millwall's rescue as Josh Laurent's stunning 20 yarder rebounded off the bar, and Fitz's charges took full advantage on 66 minutes when a sublime run and through ball from Philpot enabled Gueye to equalise with a sidefoot finish.

Both sides continued to push forward in search of a winner, with Archer again saving superbly, pushing a Senior effort onto a post at one end, with Gueye twice and Philpot going close for The Lions at the other.

Afterwards Scott Fitzerald observed: "Some people watching from the stands said what an enjoyable game it was, but for me it was a bit too open and I would have like more control. Brentford played a great brand of football at times and I thought we did really well to match them and might even have won it at the death."